liver

Be forewarned that a diet consisting of plenty of fatty foods can lead to liver disease. An unhealthy diet causes the liver to work harder and can damage it beyond repair. Once damaged, diet restrictions have to strictly followed so as not to worsen the condition of the liver. For severely damaged livers, dialysis can take over liver functions but only on a short term basis. Eventually, even dialysis would not sufficiently sustain the body’s needs leading to the subsequent collapse of all other body functions. Suffice it to say that a sick liver has fatal results.

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The liver, the second largest organ in the human body, is responsible for many body functions. It synthesizes proteins, decomposes red blood cells, detoxifies the blood, and produces bile that aid digestion. Without the liver, normal vital function is an impossibility. It is thus essential for one to give utmost importance to keeping one’s liver healthy.

The best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning well is to eat a healthy diet. Here are some guidelines on what your diet should be like:

Eat food from all the food groups.

Each meal should include grains, proteins, dairy, fruits, vegetables and fat.

Choose foods that are rich in fiber such as whole grain bread, rice and cereals.

Always include fresh fruits and vegetables in every meal.

Do remember that a healthy diet must be coupled with regular exercise. Maintaining your ideal body weight by eating the right kind of food (and not by starving yourself to your dream waistline) and keeping physically fit would definitely make for a healthy liver and a longer, happier life.

Dietary requirements for those with liver disease depend on the type of liver disease and how well the liver is working. It is imperative that a doctor be consulted for the dietary recommendations and for the maintenance of a patient with liver disease.

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Usually, a person with severe liver disease would be given vitamin supplements, especially B-complex vitamins, to ensure that daily nutritional requirements are met despite of dietary restrictions. Carbohydrates are advised to be the major source of calories in the diet, thus, starchy foods are highly recommended. Protein intake would be limited to about 1 gram or less of protein per kilogram of body weight.

There are also specific dietary recommendations and restrictions for the various liver diseases. The table below gives a general idea of diets for each type of liver disease:

DISEASE

DIET RECOMMENDATION

BILE DUCT DISEASE

(an ailment that prevents the bile which is responsible for the
emulsification of lipids from flowing to the small intestine)

use fat substitutes

use kernel oil such as olive,
canola, sunflower, flaxseed, and corn oil

CIRRHOSIS
(the scarring and hardening of the liver due to chemicals,
viruses, toxic metals, and autoimmune liver disease)

protein should be strictly regulated
and consultation with a doctor or dietician is highly recommended

limit the amount of salt in the food
you eat

FATTY LIVER DISEASE
(the buildup of fat in the liver cells)

limit high-calorie foods

choose foods that have high fiber
content

HEMOCHROMATOSIS
(the buildup of iron in the liver)

avoid iron-rich foods, iron
supplements, and multivitamins with iron

do not eat uncooked shellfish

do not cook on iron pots and pans

HEPATITIS C
(caused by the hepatitis C virus)

limit foods that are iron-rich

limit the amount of salt in your
food

do not cook on iron pots and pans

WILSON DISEASE
(the buildup of copper in the body)

limit food that contain copper such
as shellfish, chocolate, nuts and mushrooms

do not cook on copper pots

Those with liver diseases must always consult their doctors regarding their dietary concerns as malnutrition and unhealthy diet can cause detrimental damage to the liver.